Course Description

Tired of working for someone else? Stop dreaming and start doing. This online class provides mentoring and step-by-step techniques and strategies for getting your business up and running quickly. It is all here. Topics include: Conducting market research - Incorporating for under $50 - Licenses - Filings - Naming your business - What an Independent Contractor is - How to set prices - How to promote your business - Finding the money - Banking, credit cards - IRS and home office deductions - Buying a franchise - Finding small business resources. Read lessons, participate in exercises, and hold live interactive discussions with your instructor, Gary Fugere, and your fellow students in your on-line classroom. Runs for 6 weeks and is self-paced. Complete the lessons on your own timetable. Course requirements include intermediate PC skills. For more information visit www.gsinet.org. Don’t forget to include your email with registration.

Course Outline

Friday, Lesson 2
Conducting Market Research ~ A critical factor in the success of any new business venture is the knowledge that your business can succeed. In this lesson we'll look at the tools to conduct your due diligence and size up your competition.

Week Two
Tuesday, Lesson 3
Getting the Business Set Up ~ Here we are going to look into all of the details of getting into your own business: organizational structure, taxes, Insurance, business names, licenses, registrations, filings and DBA's

Friday, Lesson 4
Pricing ~ How much should you charge? In this lesson we'll explore the world of product pricing, breakeven, pricing strategies, profit goals, hourly rates, and then how to make sure you're not under-priced.

Week Three
Tuesday, Lesson 5
Promoting the Business ~ No matter how good the product is or how passionate you are, if you don't have customers it is all for naught. We'll explore the world of promotion, advertising, print media, public relations, the Internet and networking.

Friday, Lesson 6
Show Me the Money ~ Today we look at the topic of finances: getting startup capital, budgeting, cash flow, accounting, accounts receivables, banking, credit cards, electronic payments.

Week Four  
Tuesday, Lesson 7
Self-Management ~ Starting a business of your own is going to test every fiber of your self-management skills. If you are not prepared, you will fail. Here we look at: staying balanced, setting goals, understanding the difference between urgent and important tasks, and dealing with procrastination.

Friday, Lesson 8
Managing the Business ~ Trying to do it all alone is unrealistic. Here we are going to look at many low cost ways of getting help with the hundreds of tasks that new home-based businesses faced.

Week Five  
Tuesday, Lesson 9
Keeping the IRS Happy ~ We examine the unique tax consequences of operating your own business including: home office deductions, putting the kids on the payroll and other business deductions.

Friday, Lesson 10
Independent Contracting ~ In this lesson we are going look in to the world of the independent contractor and explore this unique home-based business option.

Week Six  
Tuesday, Lesson 11
Telecommuting ~ Millions of Americans are learning new ways to work from home without starting a new business. We're going to look into forms of telecommuting and some sources for finding opportunities as well as spotting the "work at home" scams.

Friday, Lesson 12
Reducing Your Risks ~ Franchising can significantly reduce many of the downsides of starting a home-based business. What to look for and where to find franchise opportunities.